Empire Mine State Historic Park

 After our coffee and just before going to the park, I took a couple pics of historical buildings.

Today's big adventure was to Empire Mine State Historic Park. This park is site of one of the oldest and most successful gold mines in California.

The social distancing markers at the entrance were these bear logos. I was very excited to see them.

One of the buildings on the property.

Looking at historical equipment.

We took the guided tour, but it did take longer than if we toured on our own.

Here is the exciting part, we actually got to go down into a mine!

This particular mine went 11,000 feet underground. That is like two miles down!

They let us sit on the rails where the mine carts would take miners deep into the underground.

It was a treat getting to see real historical tools and machines. This is what made California what it is today.

At one point, I had taken a header into the gravel and got mining dust on my fur.

Blacksmiths were giving live demonstrations in the iron shop.

Mr Duffy always likes to climb onto or on top of whatever he can.

Tracks for the mining carts.

So many interesting things to see.

This looks like a mine entrance that has since been filled in.

A machine shop.

This was a cool tunnel at the start of the tour.

We were sitting on a bench in the shade when a new ranger asked if we would like to do the estate tour. We said we would, and we were taken onto the living property.

We got to go inside of the locked room where the earliest owners would entertain. There were two pianos and a pool table.

The cottage, which we also got to go inside with the guide.

This fountain flows a lot better when the rain levels are normal. Unfortunately, California has been in a drought and this has been a dry year.

So many trees, I love them.

After the tours, I was in the small welcome center. I held this bar of gold. I was hoping it was made of chocolate. Nope, sadly, it was just gold.

A mechanical display showing how the mining carts get around.

On our way out, we saw a lizard!

If you love California history, this is definitely a place to check out. I bought an annual pass to California State Historical Parks. For $50, it gets you into the named places, up to four people, for one year. I know I will get my money's worth way before the year is up.
Historian Pass